Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4VS 2025 Nissan Murano

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Rav4 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Murano has not been tested.

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Rav4 and Murano offer Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Rav4 (except LE) has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Murano’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Rav4 and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 gets better mileage than the Murano:

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Murano:

The Rav4 4WD handles at .81 G’s, while the Murano Platinum AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Rav4 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Murano Platinum AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 LE/XLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8.4 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Murano (8.6 vs. 8.3 inches).

The Toyota Rav4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The Rav4 is 12 inches shorter than the Murano, making the Rav4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Rav4 Limited uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Murano doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4’s rear seats recline. The Murano’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 easier. The Rav4’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Murano’s liftover is 31.6 inches.

The Rav4’s cargo area is larger than the Murano’s in every dimension:

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Murano doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 and the Murano have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Murano prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Rav4’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Rav4 retains 69.74% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.66% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Murano after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $13543.042904 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Nissan Murano by over 25 to one during 2024.